My surgeon suggests that I have a microdiscectomy at L5-S1 because of an extruded disc which is causing significant leg pain and weakness. My job requires significant physical demands. Will I be able to return to my job?

In most young people who are healthy, there usually are no physical restrictions within weeks following microdiscectomy surgery. This is particularly true when the microdiscectomy is done at L5-S1, when the pain is largely in the leg, and the disc is extruded.